The rivalry between arch-rivals India and Pakistan is renowned for its emotional intensity.However, these encounters are now primarily limited to multi-team events due to the longstanding political tensions between the two neighbouring nations.
With the possibility of facing each other up to three times in just two weeks during the Asia Cup, including a potential final showdown on September 17, Rohit is determined to keep emotions in check.”Rivalry is there for people to talk about. For us, we don’t want to look into all those things,” Rohit calmly stated during a pre-match press conference. He emphasised that the team’s focus is squarely on their immediate opposition and their on-field performance.
For India, the Asia Cup carries added significance as it serves as a valuable platform to fine-tune their skills and strategies ahead of the forthcoming home World Cup. The Indian cricket team aims to secure its first global title in over a decade in the prestigious October-November tournament.
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India vs Pakistan: Who has the edge in the Asia Cup clash?
“We’re here to tick a lot of boxes,” Rohit declared, underscoring their intentions to use the Asia Cup as a means to address various aspects of their game.
The impending match promises a captivating contest between India’s formidable batting lineup and Pakistan’s fiery pace attack led by the talented Shaheen Afridi. Rohit acknowledged Pakistan’s strong cricketing performance in recent years, including their top-ranked status in one-day international cricket.
“You don’t just become the number one side like that; it takes a lot of hard work. They have been playing as a unit, and it would be a great challenge for us facing them,” Rohit commented, showing respect for Pakistan’s cricketing achievements.
He also stressed that their preparation has been thorough, and he expressed hope that the team can execute their game plans effectively in the impending match.
(With inputs from Reuters)
